Russian language classes: your thoughts?

[Eira1649]

DH delivering some taster Russian classes very soon - planned long before the present appalling crisis in Ukraine. Some online, some face to face for students, staff, the public. Presently going ahead. Precautionary measures include someone co-hosting (online) and security being alerted (face to face).

We feel that these should proceed but might tensions be so high at the university and in the community that it would be wiser to postpone? What a sad situation. Russian is a great language and Russian people are rising up and young conscripts are at the mercy of Putin's crazed decisions - no winners in war.

Why would you postpone?

‘Security have been alerted’ 🤣🤣🤣 I’m so sorry but that really did make me laugh. Does your DH usually have a flair for the dramatic?

It’s a language. Teach it. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I would try to gauge the mood at the university beforehand and see if incidents are likely to happen. But I wouldn't postpone. I would imagine that people studying or teaching at a university are intelligent enough to realize that Russian isn't just the language of Putin, it is the language of a great and complex culture.

I just don’t see the security risk here.

I think it's fine, OP. Putin doesn't speak for all Russians, and hopefully most people have the common sense to realise that. It's a great language with an amazing body of literature. The awful situation right now is no reason not to offer it.

@Wicker73

I just don’t see the security risk here.

I imagine that the OP's DH anticipated that there might be some protests. He is right, it's a possibility.

I don't think it's fair to laugh at his fears. I imagine that a lot of Russian nationals are feeling very anxious and insecure right now in light of what's going on in the name of their country. They didn't ask for this, but no doubt many people will be pointing the finger anyway.

Apart from anything else, I'd imagine fluent Russian is a requirement for some MI6/GCHQ positions.

I don't think it's fair to laugh at his fears.

I would not laugh at OPs husbands fears. I just don’t understand the risk.

I think the worst/most likely scenario is some tweet saying someone is appalled at the tone-deafness of these classes now of all times, which would be unlikely to gain much traction.

I agree, I wouldn't laugh at anyone's fears, but I think it is politically illiterate and absolutely bonkers to think postponing is the right thing. The first language of many Ukrainians is Russian.

Thank you very much for all your comments.

Wavypurple - it's the institution that's putting some (pretty low key) safeguards in place. Nothing to do with DH.

The sessions are going ahead. DH very much wants that to happen and, of course, as much as anything, to postpone could be interpreted as some kind of backlash. Showing solidarity with the very many ordinary Russians (and Belarusians) at this time (including our students) is very important - they are not to blame for their governments' appalling decisions.

*SarahAndQuack" - that's a very good point you make about the language.

Thank you again, all - the discussion has helped our resolve.

Sorry, SarahAndQuack, I didn't format your name correctly!

I think it's a good idea actually. We need people who can understand our (political) enemies as well as our friends.

I teach in a language department that also teaches Russian. There hasn’t been any suggestion that these classes face or pose a security threat.

I understand that a taster course may attract more publicity than a long-running degree programme, but I think it’s highly unlikely you’d face any serious backlash.